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Moyes watches Juve's Marchisio

David Moyes was present to watch Juventus' Claudio Marchisio at the weekend as he continues to look to bolster Manchester United's midfield.

The Scot went to Sardinia along with first-team coach Jimmy Lumsden on Sunday to see the Italy international come off the bench and score as Juventus beat Cagliari 4-1.

Three other reported United targets featured in the game, with Chile international Arturo Vidal and France's Paul Pogba - who left United in 2012 - both starting for Antonio Conte's side as they recorded an 11th consecutive win in Serie A, while defender Davide Astori featured for Cagliari.

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However, Marchisio, 27, has been linked with United with increasing frequency in recent weeks and appears to be the most likely target, even if Moyes claimed he was simply on vacation.

He told Tuttosport: "I'm here on vacation, no special observations, no market operations."

Juventus youth acadamy product Marchisio, who has had limited first-team football this season, is believed to be valued at around £20 million, but it is thought to be unlikely that the Italian champions would sell this month.

Conte said after the game: "Claudio is important and he's been behaving professionally, even if he's been on the bench. He made us change gear when he came on for [Andrea] Pirlo, but Pirlo and [Gianluigi] Buffon are both champions and I'm delighted to have them too."

United brought in Marouane Fellaini to strengthen their midfield in the summer, but failed in attempts to bring in several other targets, including Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara, Daniele De Rossi, Sami Khedira and Ander Herrera. Since then, Moyes has also scouted Atletico Madrid's Koke while United have reportedly watched Roma's Kevin Strootman.

Marchisio is thought to be a January transfer target for David Moyes © PA Photos

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